Monument (novel)
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Monument is a science fiction novel written by Lloyd Biggle, Jr. and published in 1974. The subject of destructive tourism is serious, but as usual with Biggle, the treatment is in a lighter vein, and at times frankly humorous.
Monument was based on a short story of the same name published in Analog magazine in 1961. The novel was optioned in 1979 and was to be the premiere film of Spacefilms, but never materialized. The film was co-written by Biggle and Spacefilms founder John Flory. The novel is dedicated "To John, Bee and Jack Flory, who had a vision."[1]
[edit] Plot summary
A nondescript spacer with little education named Cerne Obrien finds a cache of extremely valuable "retron crystals", but crash-lands on an apparently idyllic planet before he can sell them. The planet has a single continent, which he discovers is populated by humans with a Polynesian culture. Despite the beautiful beaches and jungles, the environment is extremely hostile to humans. However, the people live contented lives. In particular, they hunt a horrific sea-creature called the koluf, the delicious meat of which forms almost their entire diet. Obrien takes them under his wing, uses his surviving technology to rid the area of several pests, and eventually marries into the tribe. They love and revere him, come to call him the "Langri", and his Galactic name is forgotten.
Obrien leaves a peaceful life, watching his descendants grow up, but when he realizes he is getting old, he begins worrying about the future. He fears what will happen to his beloved people when the planet is discovered and unscrupulous developers inevitably attempt to turn it into a resort paradise. The aged Obrien can handle them if they arrive soon, but he cannot live forever.
He has bright young people sent to him. He begins to teach them "the Plan", his scheme to make sure they will be able to control their planet and their lives. It is difficult to teach the contented, non-technological natives all they need to know, as they have little concept of modern galactic society and its dangers, but he manages to the convey his Plan to enough of his students, in particular, a young man named Fornri.
A few months after Obrien finally dies, a developer called Wembling arrives with the technically illegal intention of prospecting for minerals. The people, led by Fornri, put the Plan into effect. They first capture Wembling and his men, and the crews of the four scout ships sent to investigate Wembling's "disappearance". The Navy eventually arrives, official negotiations under Galactic law ensue, and the planet is legally recognized under the name Langri. The people of Langri fine Wembling and his scouts half a million credits for illegal landings. In due course, this (and Obrien's retron crystals) allows the people of Langri to hire a law firm as Obrien had specified in the Plan.
After a great deal of legal maneuvering, Wembling belatedly realises the planet's potential. He then corrupts the record of the Langri's Galactic treaty and procures a charter to develop a tourist resort on Langri, with "golf-courses" (legal) that just happen to include lakes and areas suitable for ski-runs (illegal). The construction drives away most of the koluf, and the people begin to starve; their adaptation to the environment has eliminated their ability to digest "normal" food. The starving people of Langri attempt to get a court to stop Wembling, without success; he has a seemingly valid charter.
Meantime, Wembling's niece Talitha, and his hired (and fired) anthropologist Hort form a relationship, and sympathize with the natives. Talitha and Hort discover Obrien's wrecked craft and read the log, including his notes on the Plan; they are amazed that one man could have created such a complete and detailed scheme, including Obrien's masterstroke. Fearing to interfere with the Plan, they keep their newfound knowledge to themselves.
In accordance with the Plan, the people of Langri have been secretly learning to read. After having achieved the required high literacy rate, they successfully petition for membership in the Galactic Federation. The Plan then enters its endgame: the duly formed planetary government imposes a tax rate of 1000% Since the natives have few personal assets, they can easily afford to pay, but such an exorbitant rate would inevitably bankrupt any tourist resort. Wembling furiously mounts a legal challenge, but loses. There is ample precedent that a government can impose any tax it wishes, as long as it is applied equally to all. Obrien knew of this precedent from an obscure case, and made it the cornerstone of the Plan.
The new government of Langri plans to build schools, parks, and hospitals to benefit the people. It even hires Wembling, admiring his ruthless energy, if not his morals. Talitha and Hort comment that Obrien deserves some kind of monument. Fornri asks "Obrien? Who is Obrien?"
